Importance of public trust in the electoral process

In modern times, the electoral process constitutes the closest approximation to a method of citizen oversight of the government. Under the umbrella of democracy, elections are organised, carried out, and adjudicated through several distinct formal mechanisms and formulas, which correspond to different principles.

The idea of the “democratic guarantee” is inherent to all these principles, which form the pillars underlying the legitimacy and recognition of elected governments. Democratic principles have common objectives; to ensure the legitimating capacity of elections and to provide democracies with normative importance. These elements generally guarantee democratic governability. Free and fair elections bring legitimacy to elected leaders and to the democratic principles that government represents.